PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 Owners Manual

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield.
Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-75.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better,' and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page
6- 15.
Manual Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
Check for leaks. A fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if
needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-23. A fluid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all the door hinges and latches, including
those for the hood and the trunk lid. Part D tells
you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-1 0

Starter Switch Check
1
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-29 if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately
if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
ii ine starier WOI-KS in any oiner posiiion, your
vehicle needs service.
System Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
could be injured.
Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
su dace.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page
2-29 if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately
if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try
to move the shitt lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs sewice.
6-1 1

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
OFF in each shift lever position.
* With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in PARK
(P).
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever
is in reverse.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in
OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park
(P) Mechanism Check
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You
or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll.
Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move. Park
on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
* To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-1
2

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should /et your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these
jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See
Service Publications
Ordering hformation on page
7-9.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
!ines 2nd hQSPS fcr pper hcnk-L!p, hinrlinf& !e=lks,
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page
2-33.
ystem Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
6-1 3

Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often
if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-1
4

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage
Engine Oil Fluid/Lubricant
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity.
To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake Svstem
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hydraulic
Clutch System 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-23.
Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
GM Optikleen Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No.
U.S. 12345347 in
Canada 1095351 7, or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid). Usage
Power Steering System
Manual
Transaxle
Automatic Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Hood Latch Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door Hinges
Weatherstrip Conditioning Fluid/Lubricant
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No.
U.S. 1052884, in
Canada 993294, or equivalent).
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No.
US. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No.
US. 12346293, in
Canada 992723, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGl
#2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No.
U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
Canada 1974984, or equivalent).
(a! Part ?!e. V.S. 123?557S, Ir!
6-1 5

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and any
additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” on the following record pages.
Also,
you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
6-1 6

Maintenance Record (cont’d)
6-1 7

Maintenance Record (cont’d)
6-1 8

Section 7 Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance Information ...................... 7.2
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
...................... 7.2
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
................................ 7.3
Customer Assistance
Off ices ............................ 7.3
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
........................................... 7.5
Roadside Assistance Program
.......................... 7.5 Courtesy Transportation
.................................. -7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
...................................... 7.8
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government
............................................... 7.9
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
....... 7.9
Service Publications Ordering Information
........... 7.9
7-
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